The Fall Genesis 3:1-24

The story here is well known and really needs no introduction or explanation. What I hope to offer is insight. I find that when I read the bible for some reason I wonder what were the human thoughts of these people who did great or not so great things. If they can overcome their burdens then it gives us hope that by studing and trying to understand we to can overcome. As I read this passage tonight I thought to myself what did the moment of understanding feel like? Have you ever bitten into a piece of fresh fruit that you had been craving and imagining it's sweetness only to discover half way thru chewing the first bite that it wasn't sweet at all? Were Adam and Eve looking at one another chewing on that first bite of forbidden fruit when the full impact and understanding of what they had done suddenly formed in their minds? Were they thinking maybe I can take it back? Did they dare to form words at one another or did they fashion their coverings in silence? We know that they were afraid when they heard God's voice calling to them the bible tells us this but why were they afraid, in their understanding did they also know they were about to cause their creator great unimaginable pain and sorrow? We know that human sinful nature began in those moments when Adam tried to blame Eve and Eve tried to blame the serpent but something that we could overlook also began in those moments, Hope for even in their shame they told God the truth. It always seem harsh to me the judgements that God laid before them until recently when I came to think that God wasn't handing out punishment he was seperating himself from sin. This meant that he had to separate himself from a creation that he loved and cherished. The consequences that he lays out before Adam, Eve and the serpent are effects of a separation from God. Women would now seek validation and favor not from God but from men and Men would seek to reach every goal by themselves even though we die and our achievements return to dust. The serpent well God told him some one is coming for you and they will defeat you even though it will cost them more than anyone can ever understand. Adam and Eve were forced to leave the sanctuary they had known as home to dwell in a new and sometimes hostile land. I wonder what must that final walk out of the Garden been like? Every step they took they knew they had failed not only their maker but also their future children. The guilt that Eve must have burdened upon her shoulders must have been overwhelming and yet she carried it. Dear God thank you for even in the hour of our sin you provide redemption. Please help us to learn from these two who carried the wieght of the world upon their shoulders and still chose to honor and love you. May we honor you as well. Amen.

Eve's Creation Genesis 2:21-25

As I said in the previous entry we are discussing the women of the bible and of course our first woman is Eve. Here it tells us that God saw that Adam needed a help mate. God took one of Adams ribs to make Eve. She was meant to be an equal. When Adam woke he immediately recognized that Eve was like him, created in the image of God. She was not just like him she was of his own flesh. There are just 3 verses that give us any indication of Adam and Eve's relationship with one another and with God before we see the Fall. I have read this a thousand times and never given a thought to what must have their relationship have been like? No fear of rejection, no worrying if you were pretty enough, just love. Eve didn't wonder if she had gained weight and Adam didn't worry if he made enough money. They lived to serve the Lord together in truth, no games, no sin. What was their married relationship like in that brief euphoria? I can only imagine what that must have been like. Can you imagine what God's full focused love must feel like? A love not clouded by sin but free and without any dimming. Did Adam and Eve feel like this for each other? Their praises to the Lord must have been unbelievable. God must have so enjoyed the worship that they showered upon him. Now comes the hard part, tomorrow night we will discuss the pain that God must have endured and the guilt that both Adam and Eve must have felt. God thank you for all you do even though we continue to hurt and disapoint you. Lord help us to strive to be what you intended us to be. Amen.

Hello everyone First thing I would like to do is thank Jo Ann Harper for giving me the idea of sharing my bible studies via Blogging. I know that it has been awhile since I have done a bible study that I shared with everyone. Thanks to those of you who have told me to start it again it helps to know that someone really does read these. Our new topic is going to be the Women of the bible. I am currently reading a book called Every Woman in the Bible written by Sue and Larry Richards. It has alot of really great things in it and it started me thinking that there are alot of things that we can learn from the Women of the Bible. I hope that we can learn alot from each other about this so lets get blogging.